B.2.1.1 Introduction to kinematics/linear kinematics

• Vector: a measurement that has both direction and magnitude

• Scalar: a measurement that only has magnitude

• Distance: length of the path a body follows (scalar)

• Displacement: how far and in what direction something moves from its starting point to its finishing point (vector)

• Speed: the rate at which an object covers distance (scalar)

  • Speed = distance/time (m/s)

• Velocity: the rate at which an object changes its position (vector)

  • Velocity = displacement/time taken (m/s)

• Acceleration: rate at which velocity changes with respect to time (vector)

  • Acceleration = Final velocity - initial velocity/time (m/s^2)

• Force: is any interaction that, when unopposed, will change the motion of an object (vector)

  • Force = mass x acceleration (N)

• Momentum: refers to how much motion an object has (vector)

  • Momentum = mass x velocity (kg/m/s)

• Impulse: contact time determines the force applied on the object (vector)

  • Impulse = force x time (N-s)

Speed distance time triangle: